Betting: Coventry City v Doncaster

While Doncaster were fending off a determined fightback by Scunthorpe at the weekend to consolidate their position at the top of League One, the Sky Blues slumped to an unexpected defeat at Fratton Park.

While Doncaster were fending off a determined fightback by Scunthorpe at the weekend to consolidate their position at the top of League One, the Sky Blues slumped to an unexpected defeat at Fratton Park.

The result means that Coventry, freshly minus ten points, must beat the league leaders this weekend keep alive their fast-receding chances of making the play-offs.

Though Doncaster have won 13 of their 20 away fixtures this term, it should be remembered that Coventry inflicted the heaviest defeat of the campaign on them when the sides met at the Keepmoat Stadium in mid-December. City’s 4-1 win was the widest margin of victory in matches involving the pair since 1926.

Armed with this positive and home advantage, Coventry kick off as BetVictor’s 8/5 favourites, whereas Doncaster are priced at 15/8 with Stan James.

Not surprisingly, however, the draw, priced at 12/5 by bet365, has been heavily backed, as has BetVictor’s 17/5 odds for the match to finish as a score draw.

Prior to Coventry’s fantastic pre-Christmas win at Doncaster, only once in the pair’s previous 11 meetings had their matches been settled by more than one goal. It’s a record which adds appeal to Skybet’s 3/1 odds for the Sky Blues to enjoy a one-goal victory.

In other markets, Coral chalk an attractive-looking 23/10 about City retaining a clean sheet and Paddy Power rate the chances of the game’s final goal arriving after the 73rd minute as an even money shot.

Punters can also get 3/1 (William Hill) against Coventry leading at the end of both halves as they did when the sides last faced each other.

Defeat against Portsmouth and the Football League’s points deduction have left Coventry temporarily marooned, adrift of the play-off zone, though as they’ve proved once already this season, they’re capable of overhauling the league leaders.

Punters who envisage another morale-boosting victory can get 8/1 (Ladbrokes) against a 1-0 home win, while Stan James post 11/1 about City winning 2-0.